Rotary switch actuator for actuating multiple rotor sections and including secondary elongated rod actuator



y 1966 w. B. VOLKMANN 3,

ROTARY SWITCH ACTUATOR FOR ACTUATING MULTIPLE ROTOR SECTIONS ANDINCLUDING SECONDARY ELONGATED ROD ACTUATOR Filed NOV. 19, 1963 INVENTOR.W\\ \.,Y B. VOLKMANN ATTORNEY United States Patent Union Inc, Milwaukee,Wis, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 324,752 18Claims. (Cl. 200-14) This invention relates to rotary electric switchesand, more particularly, to an improved actuating mechanism for suchswitches.

Rotary switches are generally provided with one or more switch sectionswhich are operated by rotation of a control shaft. For use in manyapplications, it is desirable to make available additional controlthrough the provision of axial as well as rotary control movement.Heretofore, prior art constructions have usually provided this dualcontrol movement with an arrangement of inner and outer concentricallyarranged, telescoping shafts, one shaft being rotatable to control theswitch sections and the other being movable axially to control aseparate operational function, e.g. an on-olf switch which could controlthe circuit to the rotary switch sections. The concentrical- 1yarranged, telescoping shafts provide a compact arrangement but alsopresent' the problem of binding between the shafts, particularly as thenumber of switch sections is increased and the axial length of therotary switch increases accordingly. Avoidance of this problem in priorart constructions requires holding relatively close tolerances on theswitch actuator parts and rather involved assembly and close inspectionprocedures. Moreover, the concentric shaft arrangement does not lenditself well to facile and effective connection to the switch sectionrotors and is difiicult to machine, the most commonly accepted procedurebeing to provide a fiat on the shaft which results in a shaft having aweakened section.

A general object of this invention is to provide an actuating mechanismwhich retains the compactness of the concentric, telescoping shaftarrangement but eliminates the binding problems normally encountered insuch an arrangement.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an actuatingmechanism which permits facile and effective connection with the switchsection rotors.

A further object of this invention is to provide an effective actuatingmechanism which affords at least two independent, selectively operablecontrol movements but which represents an overall simplification of theswitch structure as compared to prior art constructions.

For the achievement of these and other objects, this invention proposesa rotary switch control having a first rotary control member and asecond member adapted to provide control movement, either axial orrotary, in addition to the control movement of the first member. Therotary switch control is ;of substantially open construction so that thefirst and second control members can be positioned adjacent each otherto afford a compact arrangement while remaining substantially free forrelative movement without binding.

The novel features of this invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. The invention itself, together with additional objects andadvantages thereof, will be more clearly understood from a reading ofthe following description in connection with the accompanying drawingwherein preferred embodiments of this invention are illustrated and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a rotary switch embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial section through the control portion of the rotaryswitch actuating mechanism;

"ice

FIG. 3 is a section view generally along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial section view generally along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view generally along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative arrangement .of the axially movablecontrol rod and rotatable control member taken at a point in a rotaryswitch similar to FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative arrangement of an axially movablecontrol rod and rotatable control memher, again taken at a point similarto FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of still another alternative construction;and

FIG. 9 is a section view taken generally along line 99 of FIG. 8.

-With particular reference to the drawing, a rotary switch isillustrated as including switch sections 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 mountedon strut bolts 20 and 22 and maintained in relative spaced relationshipby spacers 24, it will be appreciated that the number and spacingbetween switch sections can be varied as desired. Except for variationsin terminal clip arrangements as dictated by particular circuitrequirements, the switch sections are of identical construction and, forconvenience, only one will be described in detail. Switch section 10comprises a stator 26 and a rotor 28. Contact clips 30 are connected tothe opposed faces of the stator and are arranged for selectiveengagement with rotor contacts 32 and 34. R0- tor contacts 32 and 34 aresuitably connected to opposite sides of the rotor for engagement withstator 26 to support the rotor for rotation in aperture 36 in thestator.

The control portion of the actuating mechanism of the rotary swicthextends through bushing 38 which is adapted to extend through a suitablemounting surface 40 for receipt of mounting nut 42 to connect the rotaryswitch to the mounting surface. The control includes hollow shaft 44disposed in the bore of bushing 38 and having a knob 46, of suitableelectrical insulating material, suitably connected to its outer end foraffording manual control over rotation of the shaft in the bushing.

Detent mechanism 48 is provided to index rotation of control knob-46 andshaft 44. As illustrated, detent mechanism 48 comprises a pair of balls50 and 52, a stop plate 56 supporting the balls, and indexing plate 58including depressions 60 arranged around the axis defined by shaft 44and disposed in the path of rotation of the balls. It will be noted thatindex plate 58 also provides a point of connection for strut bolts 20and 22 and includes a locating lug 57 which fits into an opening 59 inthe mounting surface to properly locate and hold the switch sectionsagainst rotation. The detent mechanism also includes spring 62 arrangedto bias the balls toward the depressions and provides an actuator whichindexes the rotary switch through its various step positions with a snapaction and a positivefeel. Shaft 44 is staked, as at 64, to connect stopplate 56, balls 50 and 52 and detent spring 62 for rotation with thecontrol shaft. A suitable fastener such as C-ring 45 completes theconnection of the shaft for rotation in bushing 38 and to hold itagainst axial movement.

It will be noted in FIGS. 1 and 2 that shaft 44 does not extendcompletely through the rotary switch. As illustrated the shaft extendsonly through the switch section 10, if desired, the shaft could alsoterminate short of switch section 10; however, the illustratedconstruction is preferred as it affords an effective bear-ing for theleft end of rod 76. The driving connection to the remainder of theswitch section rotors for effecting rotation thereof is established byan elongated operating member 68. Member 68 is suitably connected toshaft 44, e.g. by spot welding, and extends therefrom through each ofthe rotors. More particularly, each rotor is provided with a generallycentrally located clearance aperture 70 which includes aligned notchportions 69 and 71 extending generally transversely of the axis ofrotation and forming an opening which conforms generally to and forreceipt of the edges of member 68. More particularly, operating member68 is generally planar and its longitudinally disposed edges are engagedin notch portions 69 and 71 to connect the rotors and member 68 forjoint rotary movement.

This construction lends itself wvell to the inclusion of an additionaloperating member to control an additional control function. In theillustrated embodiment suitable switch mechanism 74, of any well-knownconstruction, is supported at the right end of the rotary switch tocontrol a desired operational function such as to electrically connectthe switch sections in a particular circuit. The additional operatingmember takes the form of rod '76 connected for movement with knob 46 byknurled portion 78 engaged in bore 80 and extending between the knob andswitch 74. Movement of rod 76 can be used to control switch 74 and itwill be appreciated that either rotation or axial movement of the rodcould be used for this purpose, however, for the purpose of thefollowing description the rod will be described as being movableaxially. Rod 76 extends through bore 82 of shaft 44 and clearanceapertures 70 in each of the rotors into the switch mechanism where itmakes engagement with the switch in any suitable, well-known manner. Theshaft 44 provides a bearing for one end of rod 76 and a simple andeffective bearing for the opposite end of the rod is provided by aformed tab 86 extending upwardly from member 68 and including anaperature 87 for receipt of the rod. A single tab at the end of member68 has pro-' vided a satisfactory bearing, however, if required itsposition could be varied or additional tabs could be formed from thebody of member 68 intermediate its ends. This support arrangement mountsthe rod for axial, or rotary, movement while leaving it substantiallyopen. With this construction the rotatable control member, thecombination of of shaft 44 and member 68, can be positioned adjacent therod to achieve a compact arrangement and provide the support for the rodbut is of substantially open construction to preserve the open conditionof the rod and thereby permit relative movement between the rotatablecontrol member and rod without binding. Thus, knob 46 can be rotated toadjust the switch sections and also can be moved axially, as illustratedby the dotted line in FIG. 2 to actuate switch mechanism 74, bothcontrol movements being accomplished independently of the other.

To lend rigidity to the operating member 68 a rib 88 is formed generallycoextensively therewith. Where a single rib 88 is utilized it ispreferably located centrally of the operating member and in generalalignment with and opening toward rod 76. An alternative arrangement isillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and in this arrangement a rotatableoperating member 68a is provided with a pair of ribs 92 and 94 and,where a pair of ribs are used, they are formed to open away fromelongated rod 76a and the rod is located between the two ribs asillustrated in FIG. 9.

With this construction of'rotatable and axially movable operatingmembers it can be seen that problems of binding as encountered in priorart constructions are eliminated. The rotatable control member is ofsubstantially open construction with relatively spaced, longitudinallydisposed ends for establishing a facile connection with the rotors andleaving the axially movable rod open and free to eliminate the problemof binding during control movement. Although the illustrated two-piecerotatable control member construction is preferred, it is conceivablethat a unitary, open control member could be used and it will also beappreciated that connection of the rotatable operating member with therotors could be accomplished FIG. 6, operating member 6817 can begenerally channel-- shaped in transverse cross section or, asillustrated in FIG. 7, operating member 68c can be in the form of a V.With these alternative forms the rotor sections will be provided withmeans for receiving and engaging the channel or V-shaped operatingmember. Both alternative forms permit a simple and effective driveconnection with the rotors and are disposed generally to one side of therod leave it substantially open and free for movement, i.e. to one sidein the sense that they do not completely encircle the rod as in priorart constructions and can also be provided with a formed tab to providea bear ing support for the axially movable member. The alternativeembodiments have a configuration which themselves lend sufficientrigidity to the rotatable operating members to resist bending withoutthe need for auxiliary stiffening ribs.

Although this invention has been illustrated and described in connectionwith particularly embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A rotary switch comprising, in combination,

bushing means connected in said rotary switch adjacent one end thereof,

a generally hollow rotatable member disposed in said bushing forrotation about an axis,

a plurality of switch sect-ions aligned on said axis in relative spacedrelationship and each including a rotor supported for rotation aboutsaid axis, each of said rotors including a generally centrally locatedaperture,

said generally hollow rotatable member characterized by a limited axiallength so as not to extend completely through all of said switchsections,

a first generally elongated operating member connected adjacent one endthereof to and rotatable with said hollow member and extending therefromthrough the apertures in said rotors, said first operating memberincluding relatively spaced, longitudinally disposed end portionsengaged in said apertures so that said rotors, said first operatingmember and said hollow rotatable member are connected for jointrotation,

and a second generally elongated operating member supported for movementin said hollow member and extending from said hollow member along andintermediate the longitudinal ends of said first operating memberwhereby said first operating member is of generally open constructionand said second operating member is substantially exposed to permit 1relative movement between said first and second operating memberswithout binding.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite end of said firstoperating member includes a tab extending toward said second operatingmember and including a bearing surface c-oaxially arranged with saidhollow member for receipt and support of said second operating member.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first operating member has agenerally planar configuration and said aperture in each of said rotorsinclude generally aligned notches for receipt of and engagement withsaid first operating member.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said first operating memberincludes a formed depression extending longitudinally and generallycoextensively therewith, and wherein said second operating member has arod-like configuration and said depression is disposed in generalalignment with and opens toward said second operating member.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said first operating memberincludes a pair of formed, relatively spaced depressions extendinggenerally longitudinally of and coextensively therewith, said secondoperating member characterized by a generally rod-like configuration anddisposed intermediate said depressions with said depressions openingaway from said second operating member.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first operating member isgenerally channel-shaped in transverse cross-section and said secondoperating-member is positioned intermediate the longitudinally disposedend portions thereof.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first operating member isgenerally V-shaped in transverse crosssection and said second operatingmember is positioned intermediate the longitudinally disposed endportions thereof.

8. A rotary switch comprising, in combination, a plurality of switchsections relatively spaced along a common axis, said switch sectionseach including a rotor supported for rotation about said common axis andhaving an aperture therethrough,

first generally elongated operating means extending axially through saidrotor apertures and connected with said rotors to establish a drivingconnection between said rotors and said first operating means andcharacterized by having relatively spaced, longitudinally disposed endportions to be of generally open construction,

second generally elongated operating means extending axially throughsaid rotors,

means engaging and supporting said second operating means for movementrelative to said switch sections while leaving a substantial portion ofsaid second operating means generally exposed,

said second operating means disposed intermediate the longitudinal endsof and adjacent said first operating means whereby, with said firstoperating means being of generally open construction, said secondoperating means is substantially exposed and said first and secondoperating means are free for relative v movement therebetween withoutbinding,

means supporting said first operating means for rotation about saidaxis,

and said first operating means including a generally hollow memberdisposed adjacent one end of said rotary switch and connected forrotation about said axis, said first operating means also including aportion'disposed in axial spaced relation from said hollow member andextending toward said second operating means to provide a bearingsupport therefor, said sec-ond operating means extending through saidhollow member and engaging said portion.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said first operating means isgenerally channel-shaped in transverse cross-section, said secondoperating means is positioned intermediate the longitudinally disposedend portions of said first operating means, and said rotor aperturesinclude portions for receipt of and engagement with said first operatingmeans.

10. A rotary switch comprising, in combination,

a plurality of switch sections relatively spaced along a common axis,said switch sections each including a rotor supported for rotation aboutsaid common axis and having an aperture therethrough,

first generally-elongated operating means comprising a generally planarstrip having relatively spaced, longitudinally disposed end portions andextending axially through said rotor apertures,

said apertures in said rotors including portions arranged for engagementwith said planar strip to exposed and said first and second operatingmeans are free for relative movement therebetween without binding,

and means supporting said first operating means for rotation about saidaxis.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said planar.

strip includes at least one longitudinal depression in and extendinggenerally coextensively with said strip.

12. A rotary switch comprising, in combination,

a plurality of switch sections relatively spaced along a common axis,said switch sections each including a rot-or supported for rotationabout said common axis and having an aperture therethrough,

first generally elongated operating means extending axially through saidrotor apertures and characterized by having relatively spaced,longitudinally disposed end portions and connected with said rotors toestablish a driving connection between said rotors and said firstoperating means,

second generally elongated operating means extending axially throughsaid rotors,

means engaging and supporting said second operating means for movementrelative to said switch sections while leaving a substantial portion ofsaid second operating means generally exposed,

said second operating means disposed intermediate the longitudinal endsof and operatively adjacent said first operating means, said firstoperating means having an open and non-encircling construction andarrangement with respect to said second operating means so that saidsecond operating means is substantially exposed and said first andsecond operating means are free for relative movement therebetweenwithout binding,

and means supporting said first operating means for rotation about saidaxis.

13. A rotary switch device comprising, in combination,

a plurality of switch sections relatively spaced along a common axiswith each switch section including a rotor supported for rotation aboutsaid common axis,

first elongated operating means extending through and generally coaxialwith said rotors,

means connecting said rotors to said first operating means for rotarymotion in response to movement of said first operating means,

second elongated operating means extending generally parallel to saidaxis,

and means supporting said second opera-ting means for movement in saidrotary switch device and engaging said second operating means at axiallyspaced points thereon to leave said second means substantially exposed,

said first operating means including relatively spaced,

longitudinally disposed end portions to be of substantially openconstruction and said second operating means disposed intermediate thelongitudinally disposed end portions of and adjacent to said firstoperating means and being substantially exposed and free for movementrelative to said first operating means without binding.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein each of said rotors includes anaperture and said first operating means is engaged in said apertures.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein said first operating meansincludes a generally hollow elongated portion and a laterally disposedportion extending toward said second operating meansat a point spacedfrom said hollow portion to provide a bearing for said second operatingmeans, and said second operating means extends through said hollowportion and is engaged by said laterally disposed portion.

16. An actuating mechanism for providing rotary control movement of aplurality of relatively spaced switch sections arranged on a common axisand also to provide additional control movement to efiect a second,independent control function, said actuating mechanism comprising, incombination,

first generally elongated operating means extending through said switchsections generally parallel to said common axis,

second generally elongated operating means extending generally parallelto said axis,

means supporting said second operating means for movement relative tosaid switch sections and engaging said second operating means at axiallyspaced points thereon to leave said second means substantially exposed,

said first generally elongated operating means being disposed adjacentsaid second operating means and forming at least a portion of thesupport for said second operating means, said first operating meanscharacterized by having a construction in transverse cross-section whichis substantially open and nonencircling with respect to said secondoperating means so that said second operating means is positionedadjacent said first operating means and remains substantially exposedand free for movement relative to said second operatnig means withoutbinda control knob,

means connecting said control knob to both said first and secondoperating means for selective operation of said first and secondoperating means through a common control knob,

and means connecting said switch sections to said first operating meansfor rotary control movement of said switch sections in response tomovement of said first operating means.

17. A rotary switch device comprising, in combination,

a plurality of switch sections relatively spaced along an axis,

first and second generally elongated opera-ting members extending alongsaid axis through said switch sections,,said first and second operatingmeans arranged closely adjacent each other and extending generallycoaxially with each other and said switch sections,

means connecting said switch sections to said first operating member forrotary control motion of said switch sections in response to movement ofsaid first operating member,

means on said first operating member cooperating to support said secondoperating member for movement relative to said first operating-memberand said switch sections,

and one of said first and second operating members characterized byhaving, with respect to the other of said operating members, asubstantially open and non-encircling construction and arrangement intransverse cross-section so that said first and second operating memberscan be positioned adjacent each other and remain substantially free forrelative movement without binding.

18. In a rotary switch device having a plurality of switch sectionsrelatively spaced along a common axis with each switch section includinga rotor supported for rotation about said common axis the combination ofan actuating mechanism comprising,

first and second generally elongated operating means extending throughand generally coaxial with said rotors, means connecting said rotors tosaid first operating means for rotary movement in response to movementof said first operating means,

means supporting said second operating means for 'movement relative tosaid first operating means and said rotors,

a control knob,

means connecting said control knob to both said first and secondoperating means for selective actuation of said first and secondoperating means through a common control knob,

and one of said first and second opera-ting means ineluding relativelyspaced, longitudinally disposed end portions and the other of said firstand second operating means arranged intermediate the longitudinallydisposed ends of and adjacent to said one operating means, said oneoperating means having, with respect to said other of said operatingmeans, a substantially open and non-encircling construction so that saidother operating means is substantially exposed and said first and secondoperating means are free for relative movement therebetween withoutbinding.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,678,892 7/1928Wiegand 338-131 X 2,179,748 11/1939 Mastney 74-504 X 2,910,874 11/1959Jonassen 200l4 X KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner.

JAMES R. SCOTT, Examiner.

17. A ROTARY SWITCH DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION A PLURALITY OFSWITCH SECTIONS RELATIVELY SPACED ALONG AN AXIS, FIRST AND SECONDGENERALLY ELONGATED OPERATING MEMBERS EXTENDING ALONG SAID AXIS THROUGHSAID SWITCH SECTIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND OPERATING MEANS ARRANGEDCLOSELY ADJACENT EACH OTHER EXTENDING GENERALLY COAXIALLY WITH EACHOTHER AND SWITCH SECTIONS, MEANS CONNECTING SAID SWITCH SECTIONS TO SAIDFIRST OPERATING MEMBER FOR ROTARY CONTROL MOTION OF SAID SWITCH SECTIONSIN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST OPERATING MEMBER, MEANS ON SAIDFIRS OPERATING MEMBER COOPERATING TO SUPPORT SAID SECOND OPERATINGMEMBER FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST OPERATING MEMBER AND SAIDSWITCH SECTIONS, AND ONE OF SAID FIRST SECOND OPERATING MEMBERSCHARACTERIZED BY HAVING, WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER OF SAID OPERATINGMEMBERS, A SUBSTANTIALLY OPEN AND NON-ENCIRCLING CONSTRUCTION ANDARRANGEMENT IN TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION SO THAT SAID FIRST AND SECONDOPERATING MEMBERS CAN BE POSITIONED ADJACENT EACH OTHER AND REMAINSUBSTANTIALLY FREE FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT WITHOUT BINDING.